Coal mining machine



J. F. JOY 2,205,012

COAL MINING MACHiNE I Filed May 27, 1956 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jaye iii/0 Q9 in June 38, 1940. J. JOY 2,205,012

COAL MINING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Illa mu June 18, 1940. .J. F. JOY

con. MINING mcxmm F iled May 27, 1936 97 96100 101 5 She'ets-Sheet 3 Big. 1

JOY 2,205,012

COAL MINING MACHINE Filed May 27. 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 2 192087273 141 Jade 072F153.

J; F. JOY 2,205 012 COAL MINING MACHINE Filed May 27, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 attorney Patented June 18, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFKE COAL MINING MACHINE I Massachusetts Application May 27, 1936, Serial No. 82,153

6 Claims.

This invention relates to coal mining machines, and more particularly, but not exclusively to improvements in coal mining machines of the flexibly fed. room and pillar, floor cutter type.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved coal mining machine. Another object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, floor cutter type having improved feeding and cutting mechanisms and improved means for driving the feeding and cutting mechanisms. A further object is to provide an im proved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, floor cutter type having an improved arrangement of the feeding and controlling drums and an improved guiding arrangement for the flexible feeding and controlling cables whereby the machine may be fed and controlled in an improved manner. Still another objectis to provide an improved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, floor cutter type having an extremely compact arrangement of parts whereby the overall dimensions of the machine are maintained at a minimum. A still further object is to provide an improved coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, floor cutter type having improved supporting means providing plane supporting surfaces at the top and bottom of the machine whereby the machine may be operated either as an under cutter or an overcutter simply by inverting the machine. Still another object is to provide in a machine of the above character an improved guiding arrangement for the flexible feeding and controlling cables whereby the machine may be fed in either of opposite directions across the coal face while the machine is supported on either supporting surface thereof. Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved driving means for the feeding and controlling drums embodying improved means for releasing the drums from their driving means. Still another object is to provide a relatively inexpensive and compact mining machine, which is comparatively simple in construction and light in weight. Other objects and advantages of the improved mining machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the illustrative embodiment of the improved mining machine showing the cutter bar in under cutting position, the top plate being partially broken away to facilitate illustration,

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the machine shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view, on a reduced scale, showing the machine in its inverted overcutting position.

Fig. 4 is a rear end elevational View of the ma- Fig. 8 is a view in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is a View in longitudinal vertical section taken substantially on line 99 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on line Ill-40 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially one line Hll of Fig. 2 showing the cutter bar support and bottom plate structure.

Fig. 12 is an electrical diagram showing the motor reversing switches and the associated interlock means.

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic view showing the machine cutting from left to right with the machine in undercutting position.

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of the machine in the position shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the machine cutting from left to right with the machine in overcutting position.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic plan View showing the machine cutting from right to left.

Fig. 17 is a side elevational view of the machine in the position shown in Fig. 16.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a coal mining machine of the flexibly fed, room and pillar, floor cutter type, although it will be evident that various features of the invention may be incorporated in coal mining machines of various other types.

The coal mining machine as disclosed herein comprises an invertible machine frame l adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and presenting parallel plane top and bottom surfaces 2 and 3 upon which the machine is adapted to be selectively supported, that is when the machine is being operated as an undercutter or inverted and operated as an overcutter. The machine frame I includes a front feed and cutter frame section 4, a rear motor frame section 5, a detachable top skid plate 5 providing the plane supporting surface 2, and a detachable bottom skid plate 1' providing the bottom supporting surface 3, the frame sections 4 and 5 and the top and bottom plates being rigidly united to form a compact unitary structure. Projecting forwardly horizontally from the machine frame is an elongated, horizontal, plane cutter bar 8 having mounted on its margin for circulation thereabout, an endless cutter chain 9. The cutter bar is supported by and rigidly fixed at its inner end to a hanger frame i6 detachably secured as by screws H to the feed and cutter frame 4, this hanger frame having a circular portion l2 formed with a bore |3 receiving a cylindrical bearing support 4 integral with a detachable cover plate |5 in turn secured as by screws iii to the feed and cutter frame 4. Secured as by welding to the bottom plate I and interposed between the bottom plate and the cutter bar 8 is a supporting plate l1, and this plate I! and the cutter bar and bar hanger are rigidly secured together as by screws I8.

Now referring to the driving mechanism for the cutter chain, it will be noted that arranged within the motor frame section 5 is a motor l9, herein preferably of the reversible electric type, having its power shaft 20 horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine at substantially the longitudinal center of the latter. Keyed to the front end of the motor power shaft 20 is a bevel gear 2| having its hub 22 journaled in a ball bearing 23 suitably supported within the feed and cutter frame. The bevel gear 2| meshes with a large horizontal beve gear 24 having its hub 25 journaled in a ball bearing 26 supported within the cylindrical bearing support I 4, and a ball bearing 21 supported within a cylindrical bearing support 28 formed integral with the detachable cover plate l5 and projecting inwardly therefrom in the manner shown in Fig, 5. Journaled within the bearing sleeves 29 supported within the hub of the bevel gear 24 is a vertical shaft 30 having keyed thereto at its lower end, as viewed in Fig. 5, a chain sprocket 3| which engages and drives the endless cutter chain 9. As illustrated, secured by screws 32 to the bearing support i4 is an annular retaining plate 33 for retaining the ball bearing 21 in position within the bearing support, and this plate 33 carries a packing 34 embracing the hub of the chain sprocket 3| to provide a dust and oil seal.

The chain sprocket 3| is arranged in a horizontal chamber 35 extending transversely of the machine between the cutter and feed frame and the bottom plate I, and the inner end of the cutter chain moves through this chamber, the chamber being open at the opposite sides of the machine frame so that the cuttings brought back from the kerf by the cutter chain are discharged through the sides of the chamber. The bottom skid plate I is preferably cut away at the bottom of the cutter chain sprocket chamber, in the manner shown in Fig. 11, thereby to facilitate the discharge of cuttings from the chamber as the machine moves laterally over the mine floor during the cutting operation.

The means for connecting the cutter chain sprocket drive shaft 30 to the bevel gear 24, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, comprises an expansible toothed clutch 35 comprising several radially located, interlocking clutch members 31 guided within radial slots 38 formed in the shaft 3|] and adapted to project within sockets 39 formed in the hub 25 of the bevel gear. Arranged coaxially with the shaft 30 and slidable axially within a bore 40 therein is an operating plunger or rod 4| having a conical inner end 42 adapted to engage the clutch members 3'! for spreading the latter apart. The operating rod 4| is movable axially by means of a shipper yoke 43 engageable with a collar 44 at the upper end of the rod, as shown in Fig. 5. The shipper yoke 43 is fixed to a transverse operating shaft 45 having an operating lever 45 conveniently located on the exterior of the machine frame. It will thus be seen that when the operating rod 4| is in the position shown in Fig. 5 the interlocking plungers 31 are moved into interlocking relation with the sockets 39 in the bevel gear hub so that the shaft 39 is locked to the bevel gear for rotation therewith, and as a result when the clutch is so connected the cutter chain sprocket 3| is driven from the motor I!) through the bevel gearing 2|, 24 to effect rapid circulation of the cutter chain about the margin of the cutter bar. When the operating rod 4| is raised from its position shown in Fig. 5 the interlocking plungers are permitted to move inwardly into their released position, thereby to release the drive shaft 30 from the bevel gear 24, and, as a result, the cutter chain is disconnected from its drive,

The feeding mechanism for the machine comprises a plate 48 secured by screws 49 to the bevel gear 24 and having a hub 53 keyed to a worm 5|, this worm herein arranged with its axis coincident with the axis of the bevel gear and shaft and driven by the bevel gear. This worm 5| meshes with a worm wheel 52 keyed to a horizontal shaft 53, herein extending across the machine above the bevel gear 24 and journaled at its opposite ends within ball bearings 54 and 55, the former being suitably supported within a bearing bracket 56, preferably formed integral with the cutter and feed frame, while the latter is supported within a detachable bearing bracket 5'! secured as by screws 58 to the cutter and feed frame 4. Formed integral with this shaft 53 is a spur gear 59 meshing with a spur gear 60 keyed to a shaft 66 herein horizontally disposed and extending transversely of the machine frame at the rear of the shaft 53. Also keyed to the shaft 6| is a bearing hub 62 journaled in a ball bearing 63 supported within a detachable bearing bracket 64 secured as by screws 65 to the feed and cutter frame 4. Fixed to and driven by the shaft BI is a spur gear 66 meshing, as shown most clearly in Fig. 9, with the teeth of an internal gear 61 formed on a feed drum 68. This drum 6B is journaled for rotation about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the machine on bearing sleeves 69 supported by a shaft 10, herein secured as by welding within a bore 7| formed Within a supporting boss I2 integral with a swingable frame 13. This frame is journaled at 14 on a horizontal transversely extending shaft I5, herein secured as by welding Within a bore 16 formed within a boss 1"! integral with the feed and cutter frame 4. The frame 73 is provided with an operating lever 18 projecting rearwardly along the side of the machine frame and having a grasping handle 19. Suitable releasable locking means is provided for locking the lever in its different adjusted positions. The operator, by swinging the lever 18, may rock the frame 13 about its pivotal mounting on the shaft 15 to move the internal gear 6! on the drum into and out of meshing engaement with the teeth of the spur gear 66. Formed in- 75 tegral with the frame 13 is a stop lug engageable with spaced stops 8'I rigidly secured to the adjacent side of the feed and cutter frame 4, and this stop lug 80 limits the amount of swinging movement of the frame 13. Keyed to the shaft 53 at the opposite side of the machine from the spur gear 59 is a relatively large spur gear 82 meshing with a spur gear 83 keyed to the hub of a controlling drum 84, the latter arranged at the opposite side of the machine from the feed drum 68 as shown in Fig. 1. The drum 84 is journaled for rotation on a horizontal axis extending transversely of the machine on ball bearings 85 supported by a shaft 86 secured as by welding to a swingable frame 81 pivotally mounted at 80 on a horizontal transverse shaft 89 rigidly secured within the adjacent side of the feed and cutter frame. The frame 81 is formed with a lever 90 projecting rearwardly along the side of the machine frame and having an operating handle 9| for swinging the frame about its pivot to move the spur gear 83 into and out of meshing engagement with the spur gear 82. Suitable releasable locking means is provided for locking the lever in its different adjusted positions. This swinging frame is likewise provided with a stop lug 92 engageable with spaced stops 93 rigidly fixed to the adjacent side of the feed and cutter frame 4, and these stops limit the amount which the frame 81 can be swung. It will thus be seen that the drums may be quickly thrown into engagement with or disconnected from their drives simply by swinging the frame levers to swing the drum-carrying frames about their pivotal mountings.

The spur gearing 59, 60, 66, 61 constitutes low speed driving means for the feeding drum 68, while the spur gears 82, 83 constitute high speed driving gearing for the controlling drum 84. A friction brake is provided for retarding rotation of the controlling drum 84 when the latter is disconnected from its drivin gear 82 comprising, housed within the drum, a series of brake discs 94 keyed to the shaft 80 and interleaved with a series of brake discs 95 keyed to the controlling drum 84. Mounted centrally within the shaft 86 is a screw 98 having threaded thereon an adjusting nut 91 having an operating handle 98. This nut is provided with a collar 99 engageable with the outer surface of a pressure plate I09 engageable with the inner race of the adjacent ball bearing 85. The opposite side of the inner ball bearing race engages a brake applying plate l0I. When the nut 91 is screwed inwardly along the screw 96, the pressure plate I00, the inner race of the ball bearing and the plate IOI are moved inwardly frictionally to connect the braking plates together, thereby to fnictionally brake drum rotation. By regulating the application of the braking pressure the controlling drum may rotate in unwinding direction, that is, a direction to pay out the controlling cable, under various degrees of frictional resistance, for a purpose to be later described.

Means is provided for frictionally resisting rotation of the feed drum 68 so that when the latter is suddenly disconnected from its drive, undue spinning thereof and a resultant undesirable unwinding of the feed cable are prevented. This spinning brake comprises a braking plunger I03 mounted in a sleeve I04 guided within a bore I05 formed within a cylindrical guide I06 secured within the swinging frame 13. Engaging a flange I01 on the sleeve I04 and the inner wall of the guide bore is a coil spring I08 for constantly yleldingly urging the braking plunger into frictional engagement with the adjacent plane surface I09 of the feed drum.

Wound on the feeding drum 68 is a flexible feeding cable I I 0, while wound on the controlling drum 84 is a flexible controlling cable III, and the improved guiding means for these cables for guiding the latter during the various operations of the machine comprises sets of coaxial horizontal guide sheaves H2, H3 and H4, II 5 suitably journaled on the machine frame at the opposite rear corners thereof, while arranged near the longitudinal vertical center of the machine is a set of coaxial horizontal guide sheaves H6, Hi, the guide sheaves of each set respectively journaled at the top and bottom of the motor frame section. Arranged at opposite sides of the machine are sets of vertical guide sheaves H8, I I9 and I20, I2I herein journaled at the opposite sides of the machine frame on horizontal axes extending transversely of the machine. Arranged at the opposite front corners of the machine are guide sheaves I22 and I23 journaled on vertical axes on projecting brackets I24 formed integral with the feed and cutter frame.

The electrical control means for the motor I9 for effecting operation of the latter selectively in opposite directions, thereby to drive the cutter chain in either of opposite directions, comprises, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4, a pair of reversing switches I25 and I25 arranged within the rearward portion of the motor frame and having vertically swingable operating levers I21 and I28 respectively. These switches are so connected in the circuit of the motor that when one is on and the other is off the motor runs in one direction, and when the second switch is on and the first switch is off the motor runs in the reverse direction. An interlock is provided between the two switches for preventing simultaneous movement of the switch levers into their on position comprising a transverse interlocking bar I29 guided for transverse sliding movement within guides I30 secured to the rear side of the motor frame, and this bar has a centrally located circular portion I 3| surrounding a detachable end plate I32 of the motor frame, the circular portion having Sllfi'lClCI'lt clearance with respect to the plate I32 so as to permit sliding movement of the interlocking bar back and forth in its guides, while engagement of the circular portion I3I with the plate I32 limits the sliding movement of the interlocking bar in either direction. When the interlocking bar is slid in one direction, one switch lever is released therefrom while the other lever is locked in its off position by the end of the bar extending above the lever. Of course, when the bar is slid into its opposite position the other switch lever is locked, while the switch lever first mentioned is released so that the motor may be reversed. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 12, the power conductor line is indicated at I33, the shunt field of the motor I9 at I34 and the series field at I35. When the switch I25 is closed and the switch I26 is open, power may flow from the line I33 past the switch I25 and through a conductor I36 to the motor I9, while the opposite side of the motor is connected through conductors I31 and I38 past the switch I25 and through a conductor I39 to the return conductor I40. When the switch I26 is closed and the switch I25 is open, power may flow from the conductor I33 through a conductor I4I past the switch I26 and through the conductor I31 to the motor. I9 and the opposite side of the motor is connected through the conductor I36 and a conductor I42 past the switch I26 and through the conductor I39 to the return line I46. It will thus be seen that the motor may be operated selectively in opposite directions and by the provision of the interlock only one switch can be operated at a time.

When it is desired to sump the cutter bar beneath the coal at the right hand rib with the cutter bar in undercutting position, the feed cable I I8 may be extended from the bottom of the feed drum 88 to a suitable anchor jack located at the right hand rib, and as the drum B8 is rotated to wind in the feeding cable the machine is moved in an endwise direction to sump the cutter bar beneath the coal. When it is desired to sump the cutter lbar beneath the coal at the left hand rib, the feeding cable is extended from the feeding drum beneath the guide sheave H9 and around the guide sheaves H4, H6, H2 and forwardly along the receding side of the machine to an anchor jack located near the left hand rib, and as the feed drum is rotated to wind in the cable the machine is moved in an endwise direction to sump the cutter bar beneath the coal. The feed drum is also utilized to effect sumping of the cutter bar beneath the coal when the machine is inverted with the cutter bar in overcutting position, it being possible to extend the feeding cable from the feeding drum in various manners about the various guide sheaves so that movement of the machine may be effected to efl'ect sumping.

When the machine is operating from right to left with the cutter bar in undercutting position, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, the feeding cable I I0 is extended rearwardly from the top of the feed drum 58 around the guide sheave H9, then forwardly around the front guide sheave I22 at the front receding corner of the feed frame and then transversely across the front end of the machine past the front guide sheave I23 and laterally from the machine to a suitable anchor jack located near the coal face at the left hand rib. To permit the feed cable to be extended transversely across the front end of the machine frame between the front sheaves I22, I23, the hanger frame is cut away at I43 to provide a horizontal bottom ledge I44 underlying the cable, and this ledge inhibits conflict of the cable with the cutter chain in the event of slackening of the feed cable. The control-ling cable III is at that time extended rearwardly from the top of the controlling drum 84 around the lower guide sheave 2! at the advancing side of the machine, around the horizontal bottom guide sheaves H2, H6 and laterally from the receding side of the machine to an anchor jack located at the right hand rib. When the feeding and controlling cables I I0, II I are so arranged and the drums are connected to their driving means the feed drum 68 is rotated to wind in the feeding cable IIll to effect movement of the machine laterally across the coal face toward the left hand rib. During the transverse cutting operation the controlling drum 84 is disconnected from its drive and pays out the controlling cable III under the control of the friction brake to control the angular position of the machine with respect to the coal face. When the transverse cutting operation is completed the machine is angled with respect to the left hand rib, and thereafter the feeding cable is arranged with respect to the feed drum and connected to an anchor jack located at the rear end of the sheave I22, the cable being extended around the guide sheave I22 and laterally from the machine to an anchor jack located at the right hand rib. The controlling cable I II is at that time extended from the bottom of the controlling drum 34,

around guide sheave I2I, around the guide sheaves I I 2, I I 6 and then laterally from the rear end of the machine to an anchor jack located at the left hand rib. As the feed drum 68 is rotated to wind in the feedcable I I 0,.the machine is fed laterally across the coal face, the controlling drum 84, which is disconnected from its drive, paying out the controlling ca-ble III under the frictional control of the friction brake at that time. Upon completion of the transverse cutting operation, the cutter bar is angled with respect to the right hand rib and thereafter the machine is withdrawn from the face to complete the cut.

When the machine is cutting from left to right with the cutter bar in overcutting position, as

viewed in Figs 3 and- 15, the feed cable H0 is extended from the feed drum 68 around the guide sheave H9 then forwardly beneath the feed drum, along the advancing side of the machine, around the front guide sheave I22, then transversely across the forward end of the machine frame past the front guide sheave I23 and laterally from the machine to an anchor jack located at the right hand rib, while the controlling cable I I I is extended from the bottom of the controlling drum 84 around the guide sheave I20 and around the guide sheaves I I3, II I and H5, and laterally from the receding side of the machine to an anchor jack located at the left hand rib. In all the various arrangements of the feeding and controlling cables with respect to the feeding and controlling drums and'the various guide sheaves, the machine is moved in an endwise direction to sump in the cutter bar beneath the coal at one rib, then fed transversely across the coal face, angled with respect to the opposite rib and thereafter withdrawn from the coal face, all in a manner well understood by those skilled in the art.

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved coal mining machine of the invertible type is provided adapted to operate either as an overcutter or an undercutter and having an improved arrangement of the feeding and controlling drums and the guiding means for the feeding and controlling cables, whereby the machine may be fed during either undercutting or overcutting inan improved manner. It will further be noted that an improved mining machine is provided of relatively compact and rugged construction having an extremely simple arrangement of parts whereby the machine is rendered extremely inexpensive in cost and relatively light in weight. Other uses and advantages of the improved mining machine will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form. of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and having top and bottom surfaces, a motor on said frame having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, a horizontal plane kerf cutter projecting horizontally from the forward end of said frame adjacent one of said frame surfaces, the bottom of said motor lying in hori zontal planes below the top plane surface of said' kerf cutter, said kerf cutter having its driving element disposed on a vertical axis disposed a substantial distance in advance of said motor, a bevel pinion fixed to the forward end of the motor power shaft, a bevel gear meshing with said bevel pinion and arranged coaxially with and connectible to said kerf cutter driving element, and feeding means for the machine driven by the forward end of the motor power shaft including a feed driving element coaxial with said bevel gear.

2. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and having top and bottom surfaces, a motor on said frame having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, a horizontal plane kerf cutter projecting horizontally from the forward end of said frame adjacent one of said frame surfaces, the bottom of said motor lying in horizontal planes below the top plane surface of said kerf cutter, said kerf cutter having its driving element disposed on a vertical axis disposed a substantial distance in advance of said motor, a bevel pinion fixed to the forward end of the motor power shaft, a bevel gear meshing with said bevel pinion and arranged coaxially with and connectible to said kerf cutter driving element, and feeding means for the machine driven by the forward end of the motor power shaft, said feeding means including a worm connected to and driven by said bevel gear, a worm wheel meshing with said worm, a cable winding drum, and driving connections between said worm wheel and said drum.

3. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and having top and bottom surfaces, a motor on said frame having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, a horizontal plane kerf cutter projecting horizontally from the forward end of said frame adjacent one of said frame surfaces, the bottom of said motor lying in horizontal planes below the top plane surface of said kerf cutter, said kerf cutter having its driving element disposed on a vertical axis disposed a substantial distance in advance of said motor, a bevel pinion fixed to the forward end of the motor power shaft, a bevel gear meshing with said bevel pinion and arranged coaxially with and connectible to said kerf cutter driving element, and feeding means for the machine driven by the forward end of the motor power shaft, said feeding means including relatively rotatable cable winding drums, a worm connected to and driven by said bevel gear, a worm wheel meshing with said worm, and driving connections be tween said worm wheel and said drums.

4. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the min-e floor and having top and bottom surfaces, a motor carried on said frame at the rearward end thereof, said motor having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, a horizontal plane kerf cutter projecting forwardly from said frame adjacent one of said frame surfaces, the bottom of said motor lying in horizontal planes below the top plane surface of said kerf cutter, said kerf cutter having its rearward portion disposed in advance of said motor, driving connections between the forward end of said motor and said kerf cutter, and feeding means for the machine driven from the forward end of the motor power shaft including a cable winding drum, a motor driven driving member mounted at the forward end of the machine frame for rotation about a vertical axis, a worm coaxial with and driven by said driving member, a worm wheel meshing with said worm, and driving connections between said worm and said drum.

5. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over thev mine floor and having top and bottom surfaces, a motor carried on said frame at the rearward end thereof, said motor having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, a horizontal plane kerf cutter projecting forwardly from said frame adjacent one of said frame surfaces, the bottom of said motor lying in horizontal planes below the top plane surface of said kerf cutter, said kerf cutter having its rearward portion disposed in advance of said motor, driving connections between the forward end of said motor and said kerf cutter, and feeding means for the machine driven from the forward end of the motor power shaft including relatively rotatable cable winding drums, a motor driven driving member journaled on the forward end of said machine frame for rotation about a vertical axis, a worm coaxial with and driven by said driving member, a worm wheel meshing with said worm, and driving connections between said worm wheel and said drums.

6. In a mining machine, a machine frame adapted to rest upon and slide in any direction over the mine floor and having top and bottom surfaces, a motor carried by said frame at the rearward end thereof, said motor having its power shaft horizontally disposed and extending longitudinally of the machine, a horizontal plane kerf cutter projecting forwardly from said frame adjacent one of said frame surfaces, the bottom of said motor lying in horizontal planes below the top plane surface of said kerf cutter, the rearward portion of said kerf cutter disposed in advance of said motor, driving connections between the forward end of the motor power shaft and said kerf cutter including a kerf cutter driving element journaled at the forward end of the machine frame for rotation about a vertical axis, and means for feeding the machine including a cable winding drum, a gear driven from the forward end of the motor power shaft and arranged coaxially with said kerf cutter driving element, a gear meshing with said gear, and driving connections between said last mentioned gear and said drum.

JOSEPH F. JOY, 

